Truck



Sept. 28, 1943. A. H. OELKERS TRUCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1941 Ill L III II Ml I I hIIWHHHwH/ l l l l INVENTOR- dlfr df/ 06026719,

BYQLW p 1943- A. H. (SELKER 2,330,784

v TRUCK Filed. June 14,, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 28, 1943 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUCK 1 Alfred OeIkers, New Braunfels, Tex., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, 111., a V corporation of New Jersey i Application June 14, 1941; Serial No. 398,032

20 Claims. (o1. 105-19741) My invention relates to a railway car truck and more particularly to such a form of four wheel truck commonly design'atedquick wheel change design utilizing spaced integral box side frames and a connecting bolster.

In my novel arrangement the bolster is aiford- 'ed removable end members which form a means of connection to semi-elliptic springs which are carried in each side frame longitudinally thereof, each of said semi-elliptic springs being supported at its ends on the diagonal portions of the adjacent tension member of the side frame and also supported at intermediate spaced points therebetween.

The general object of my invention is to devise a four wheel freight car truckof the general design indicated which will be eminently suitable for high speed freight car service and suitably adapted for convenient quick wheel changes.

A specific object of my invention is to devise a novel form of such a car truck wherein the removable bolster end structure will form a means of affording spaced seats for the bolster end on each semi-elliptic spring associated with each side frame. More particularly, said removable bolster end portion may be so connected to the adjacent end of the bolster as to provide spaced arcuate seats under said bolster end but the weight of said bolster end may be supported on the spring group in the bolster opening.

Another object of my invention is to devise a high speed railway freight car truck of the general design above referred to wherein lateral thrusts from the side frames inwardly of the truck, may be taken by shoulders on the bolster ends abutting the semi-elliptic springs, while thrusts of the side frames outwardly of the truck may be taken by the removable; bolsteryerrd portion, said shoulders and said end portions being adapted to afio-rd abutment alon substantially the entire depth of the semi-elliptic springs at each side of the truck, said abutments thus serving, in addition to other means, to maintain the leaves of said semi-elliptic springs in proper alignment. i

A different object of my invention is to devise a railway freight car truck comprising a'truss side frame with tension and compression members merging at their ends with integral journal boxes and having spaced columns defining therewith a central bolster opening and lateral window openings, said columns being arranged with aligned openings longitudinally of the frame to accommodate a semi-elliptic spring, the ends of which may be seated approximately at the midpoint of the diagonal portions of the tension member and said semi elliptic spring being further supported at spaced points by coil springs seated on said tension member in said bolster opening so that said coil springs and said semielliptic spring will afiord support for an associated bolster end projecting into said abolster opening. i i i In my novel arrangement thebolster end portions are adjustable in order to accommodate variations and manufacturing tolerances sothat in every case the end portion may be tightly secured with the main body of the bolsterand provide therefor a satisfactory se'atingimeans on to of the associated semi-elliptic spring. a

A detailed object of my invention is to devise a novel form of bolster end portion particularly adapted for the above described type of truck and suitable for use with a well known form of bolster which utilizes a bifurcated end'portion.

My invention also comprehends a novel form of bolster structure'the end portions of which are conveniently arranged forgconnectionto such an end portion as that described with convenient arrangement for'assembling and dismantling operations. v i

In the drawings, l 1

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a railway freight car truck embodying my invention, only one end of the truck structurebeing shown inasmuch as the arrangement is similar at opposite ends of the truck. I l

t Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the truckstructure shown in Figure 1, a portion of the side frame compression member being cut away in order to clarify the view therebelow, the entire view of Figure 2 being taken'alon the planes indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1.

' Figure dis a sectional view transversely of the truck, only one s de of the truck being shown since theother side is similar thereto, and the section being taken substantially in the vertical plane bisecting the truck transversely and as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of my novel form of bolsterend structure.

Figure 5 is an isometric view showing the relationship between the bolster end'and the associated removal and adjustable bolster end portion and springbearer, saidbolster andend portion being shown in normal relation with respect to oneanother but spaced in order to clarify the views thereof. r

In each figure of the drawings certain details may beomitted where they are more clearly set forth in other views.

In detail my novel car truck comprises spaced truss type side frames each of which has the top or compression member 2 of inverted U- section and the bottom or tension member 4 of U-section merging adjacent their ends with the integral journal box 6 and including also a central bolster opening} defined at top and bottom by said compression and tension members and at each side by an integral column IJJ thus forming at each side of the bolster opening 8 a window opening I2 of triangular form. Above the bolster opening the compression member may be reinforced by theweb M (IligurezS) at-the transverse center line of the truck and by a web It adjacent the top of each column, and also adjacent the top of each column may be formed the usual integral brake hanger bracket I! at the inboard side of the frame. Each column is formed of spaced inboard and outboard L- sections t8 and oFL gm-le 2) joined at their.

lower ends by the vertical tnamsyerse web 22 (Figure 3), each column thus having an elongated verticazl opening 124 iior a purpose hereafter described. The tension nnember 4 below the bclster (opening may be of box-section comprising the top chord 26, the bottom chond .28 and inboard end-outboard webs =3!) and 32 '(Figure 3:), said top chord widened isomewlsat to form a seat M at the bottom :of the bolster opening :8 with spring positionling means -35-for accommodation at each end of said opening of :a :coil spring group 3.6. On said coil springs -35 may be seated "at 38 the adjacent end "of the semi-elliptic spring '46., said spring extending "through the before-mentioned opening 21 in each column and having its extren'iities seated as at 42 on the transverse web 44 connecting the inboard and outboard "webs of the 'U-sec'tion diagonal portion of *the tension member. The spring seat at #4 :may be located at approximately the midpoint of "the diagonal portion of the tension member and may have a vertical web fifi afiording abutment .as "alt 4B (Figure 2) for the adjacent end of said .Slnielliptic spring thus limiting the relative long i tudinail movement of said spring with respect to the side frame. "It may 'loe'noted that the end of the semi-elliptic spring 4'0 is seated as :at 62- approxi'mately the horizontal plane defined by the axle centers.

'Th'e semi-elliptic spring comprises :a zplurality o'f dull lengthlooiztom leaves and :a plurality :of shorter Lleaves :s-ttccesstvely diminishing in "length 117D -.a ztop leaf \o'j -a minim-um length, each of said leaves =being crimped ati-ts midpoint as :best 'seen at 50 in :the side -.elevation .of Figure 1 Ari-order to maintain said leaves in their proper relative position. The semi-elliptic leaf spring '69 comprises .a central spring band including a -toprhalf of general lJ-section .(Figure -3.) and .a bottom half .54 also of U-sec'tion, said sections being ,formed at opposite ends thereof with aligned openings through which may extend securingbolts56, '56, said bolts beinepositioned at theliliboard'and outboard edges of said spring. The bottom "member 5! of the spring band maybe formed with inboard and outboard lugs 8 and 60 affording abutment for the heads of said bolts thus preventing their superposed on the semi-elliptic spring 40 centrally of the bolster opening is the composite bolster generally designated 66, said bolster being of general box-section with the side bearing 68 and the center bearing 50 arranged for support of a superposed car body, said bolster having also the diagonally arranged internal reinforcing strut l2 and thecenter post M. The end of the bolster is of bifurcated form as best seen from the bottom plan view of Figure l, and the substantially horizontal top web 16 of the body of the bolster is continuous into each leg of w'the bifurcated end portion and also extends therebetweenin the reinforcing Web designated Fit. The diagonal bottom web 8d of the bolster is continuous with the central vertical web 82 which approximately divides the bifurcated end portion of the bolster from the main body thereof and at opposite sides is also continuous with the webs 84, 84 defining the bottom walls of the respective legs of said end portion. :Spaced ventica-l lateral gussets or ribs 88, '818' and intermediate ribs 1%, Bil (Figure 4) are integrally formed with the diagonal bot-tom web iii) of the bolster and merge at their extremities with transverse Webs 92., 92 forming abutments as at 5d, 2% which may engage the inboard surface of therseznhel'liptic spring Ail and the lateral motion of the bolster with respect thereto. At adjacent edges of the rabutments 94,185 may be formed shoulder Bil, :96 for engagement as at 9.8 (Figure 2) with leanh vertical lateral :edge of the spring band. By this means relative longitudinal movement between the bolster end and the semi-elliptic spring is restricted.

Each leg of the Ebifurcated end portion of the bolster comprises :a lateral wall tilt of some- What :arcuate shape, an intermediate side Wall HM, said' intermediate Walls i181, lrilzl being continuous with the before-mentioned central vertical web 32. Each 'leg of the :bzolster end is thus substantially lof box-section comprising the :top wall Hi4 .cut .away as at tilt adjacent the end wall is: for a purpose hereait'er to be described. Said ib'ox-sec'ti'on end portion has greatest depth at the "lateral edge adjacent the arcuate wall 512% land is offset at the shoulder 159.? :(Figures f3 and 4), the shallower portion of the leg thus -accommod'ating therebeneath a bearer to be hereafter described.

Forming a portion of the composite bolster structure is a removable end member generally designated W8 (Figure 5) which may be secured to the main body of the bolster by a threaded bolt 'l l'll ateaoh s'ideof the member said threaded bolt extending through the opening H2 and being receivable in the slot H 5 aligned therewith and termed in the Web use at the extremity of each deg-of the bolster end. As already described, the top wall PM of each leg of the bolster is cut away as at I116 to permit application or removal of the bolt lid. The bolster end member N32 has a substantial U--section centrally th eof as best seen-at Hi6 in the sectional View of are 3 and said member ms is formed at each on cola jawlike member comprising the outboardspaced ribs H58, flit-8 'reintorcing the depending :leg or web 132!! which may be :positioned directly opposite !the before-mentioned abutment '94 on the mainbody o'f 'theabolster, said leg 1 2i? thus afiordingsan a'butment as at H22 opposite the-abutment Mrso rthat the elliptic spring til .is thus confined between :said abutments. At each-extremity the member 40.8 has an zintu-rned .flange I24 and a spaced Tinturned flange 426 (Figure 2) between which maybe received the'end of the adjacent leg of the bifurcated end of the main body of the bolster. Said flangesI24 and-I26 merge at their lower edges at each end of the member I08 with the bearer I28 upon which the adjacent leg of the bolster end may seat and each bearer I28 is formed withan arcuate undersurface as best seen at I30 in the side elevation of Figure l.

The arcuate portion I30 may be seated as at I3I on. the top plate of the semi-elliptic spring 40 so that the load of the bolster end is superposed on said spring at spaced points on opposite sides of the spring band. By this arrangement the semi-elliptic spring 40 may be confined between the jaws formed on the removable and adjustable end portion I08 and the abutments 94, 94 on the main body portion of the bolster and the amount of .play or relative lateral motion permitted therebetween maybe controlled as desired by shim means which may be inserted as at I32 (Figure 2) between the end portion I08 and the extremities of the legs at the ends of the bolster.

, In my novel arrangement it may be noted that the bolster is supported in the bolster openingwith substantial clearance from the columns sothat there are no wearing surfaces or guides as *is usually customary. In other words, the

connection of the bolster end to the semi-elliptic spring serves to tie together the spaced side frames and said tieis resilient in character and permits a normal amount of relative lateral and longitudinal movement between the, side frame and bolster while at the same time maintaining thetruck parts in proper square relationship. Moreover, such connection is effective to return the parts to theirnormal relationship when, as a-result of service stresses, they may be shifted slightly from their normal relative positions. It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims. I claim: s ,1. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a side frame having upper and lower members and spaced columns defining acentral bolster opening and spaced window openings, coil springs on said tension member in said. bolster opening, a semi-elliptic spring seated at spaced points on saidcoil springs and extending into saidwindow openings in engagement with said tension member laterally thereof, and bolster means supported on said semi-elliptic spring with abutment means engaging the inboard edge of said spring to limit relative lateral and longitudinal movements between said bolster and said spring, said bolster means comprising a removable end portion with means abutting the outboard edge of said spring and with bearer means interposed between themain body of said bolster and said semi-elliptic spring. 2 2. In a railway car truck,a side and extending, into said window openings and seated on said tension member laterally thereof, and bolster means having a bifurcated jaw end portion supported on said semi-elliptic spring with abutment means engaging the inboard side H frame having upper and lower members and spaced columns of said spring to limit relative lateral and longitudinal movements between said bolster and said spring, saidbolster means comprisingza re: movablewand adjustable .end portion having means abutting the outboard side of said spring and having a plurality of bearers interposed between the main portion of said bolster and said semi-elliptic spring. I i i 3. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a sideframe having tension and compression members and a central bolster opening, a semi-elliptic spring extending through said opening and supported therein on springs of different character, and a bolster having an end projecting into said opening in spaced relation with said frame,.said bolster having jaw means abutting the inboard and outboard sides of said semi-elliptic spring, said jaw means outboard said spring having adepth greaterthan the clearance between the top of said bolster end andthe compression member at the top of said opening, said last-mentioned jaw means being adjustableand removable to admit the withdrawal of said bolster end out of said opening during a quick wheel change. i

4. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a side frame comprising a bolster opening, a leaf spring assemblysupported in said opening,- a bolster in said opening seated on said assembly, and spaced jaw means on said bolster abutting ,repectively'inboard and outboard sides ofsaid assembly, theoutboard of said jaw means being removable to permit removal of said bolster from the top of said bolster opening while the side frame and leaf spring assembly remain in assembled relationship. i 1

'5. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a side frame comprising tension and compression members partly defininga bolster opening therebetween, a leaf spring assembly supported from said tension member in saidopening, a bolster in said opening supported on said assembly, and spaced jaw means on saidbolster abutting respectively inboard and outboard sides of said assembly, one of jsaidja-w means being removabletopermit removal of said bolster from said bolster opening during a quick wheel change.-

6. In arailway car truckof quick wheel change type, a side frame comprising a bolster opening,"

a leaf spring assemblysupported fromsaid frame in said opening, a bolster supported-on said as-- sembly, and spaced jaw means on said bolster abutting respectively inboard and outboard sides 'of said assembly, one of said'jaw meansbeing removable to permit removal of said bolster fromsaid opening during a quickwheel change. 7. i In arailway car truck of quick wheel change type, a sideframe having tension and compression members and a central bolster opening, a-

frame, said bolster havingjaw means engaging said semi-elliptic spring said jaw means outboard said spring havinga depth greater than the clearance between the top of said bolster end and the compression member. at the top of said opening and being removable to permit removal of said end from said bolster opening during a quickwheel change. 1 I

8. Ina bolster for a railway car truck, a bifurcated end portion having spaced legs each of said legs having on its under surface a plurality, of abutments arranged ,approximatelyat right angles toieach-rctherrforltransmittingzlateral and longitudinal thrust tozassupperting zmembenhnd a, :remoxrable, end portion aadjustably secured- :to saidu'legs, said end portion Phat/fling a plurality .of spaced abutments zip-opposed relationship to 681- tain ioiisa'id first-mentioned .abutments and also having positioning :means. engaging opposite. sides of each leg.

99m a railway car trnok-of quick'wheel change typaia truss side drame comprising tension and compression members :and spaced columns defining diherewi-th a bolster openingpa semi-elliptic spring suppoiitedon springs of diffierent character m'said bols'tenopening, and a bolster end received within said opening and comprising spaced tiepending inboard and outboard jaws -abutting respectively the vinboardandoutboard sides :of said "semiaell'ipti c spring, said eutboard jaw being of gveater depththan the clearance between the top o-f saiid end and the compression member at the top missaidopeningand being removable in order the top of said end and the compression member atfthe topot said opening and being removable in border to'lpermit wi tihdrawa1 of said end from said lopening a :quick wheel change.

EH1. va railway car truck of quick Wheel ohm-ige' type, a truss side trame comprising ten and'ccmpnession members and spaced columns defining there-with a bolster opening, a semi-elliptic spring supported on springs of difiierent character "in paid bdlster opening, and a bolster end received within saidopening and comprising "spaced depending inboard and outboard frawsabu tting respectively the inboard and outbeard Sidm oi said send-elliptic spring, said out board ,iaw 'bei-ng'removaible "in order to facilitate withdrawal of said end from saidzopening during a quid: wheel change.

125mm -a rail-war, car truck of quick wheel change type, a'truss side 'frame com-prising tension and compression members and spaced columnsdefin' ing therewith a bolster opening and spaced wind-ow openings, a sem elliptic spring supported on springs of differentrcharacter in said bolster opening and extending into said window openings, and a bolster end received within sa'idbolster opening and comprising spaced jaws abutting respectively the inboard and outboai d sides of said semi-elliptic spring, one of saiid {jaws being of greater depth than the c learance between the top of said end and the com pression member :at the top of said opening and being removable in order to permit withdrawal of saiid end from said opening during 'a quick wheel change. 7

1'3; In a railwayca-r tmckof quick wheel change type, a truss side frame comprising spaced up standing columns partly'defining a bolster opening, resilient means on said frame in said openmg, a semi-elliptic spring supported thereon, and

abolster end'reoeived withi-n saidopening, seated meson-ea on-saifdspringand comprising spaced xjaws abutting the inboard and outboard .sides thereof, \one ofisaid 'jaws beingremova'ble-in order to facilitate withdrawal'ofsaid end from saidopening during awquickwheel-change.

'14. In a railway :car truck of quick-wheel change type, .a truss side framewcomprising tensionzand compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening and spaced :window' openings, a semi-elliptic spring supported on springs .of different character and extending into said window openings, :2. holster end supported on .said spring andrcomprising spaced legs each having integral means abutting the inboard side of 'said spring, a member secured to the outboard facesofsaid legs and having means abuttingthe outboard side :of 'said spring, and flanges on said member engaging opposite sides of each leg, said member "being removable in order to facilitate withdrawal of said bolster end from said bolster opening during a quick wheel change.

' T5. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type; a truss side frame comprising tension and compression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening and spaced window openings, a semi-elliptic spring supported in said opening on springs of difierent character and'extending into said window openings, a bolster end supported on said spring and comprising spaced legs each -having integral means abutting the inboard'side of said springya member secured to the outboard faces of said legs and having means abutting the outboard side of said spring, said last-mentioned means being of greater depth than the distance between the top of said end and-the topof said bolster open ing, said member being removable in order to perm-it withdrawal of saidend from said bolster opening during a quick wheel change.

l-6.'1?n a railway 7 car truck of quick wheel change type,- a truss'side' frame comprising spaced upstanding columns partly defining a bolster opening therebetween, resilient means on said frame in said opening, a semi-elliptic spring supported thereon, a bolster end supported on said spring and comprising spaced legs each having an integral jaw abutting the inboard side of said spring, a member secured to said legs and having spaced jaws abutting the outboard side of said spring, said last-mentioned jaws being of a depth greater than the distance between the top of said end and the top of said bolster opening, and said member being removable in order to permit removal of said bolster end from said bolster opening during a quick wheel change.

17.111 a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a. truss side frame comprising upstanding columns partly defining therebetween a bolster opening, a semi-elliptic spring supported in said opening on springs of different character, a bolster end supported on said spring and comprising spaced legs each having integral means abutting the inboard side of said spring, a mem ber secured'to the outboard faces of'said legs and having means abutting the outboard side of'said spring, and a plurality of bearers each being recessed in the bottom of the associated leg-and afi'ording abutment'means for the top of said spring, said memberbeing removable in order to facilitate withdrawal of said bolster end from said bolster'opening during a quick Wheel change.

18. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a truss side frame "comprising tension andcompression members and spaced columns defining therewith a bolster opening and spaced window openings, a semi-elliptic spring supported in said opening on springs of different character and extending into said window openings, a bolster end supported on said spring and comprising spaced legs each having means abutting the inboard side of said spring, a member secured to said legs and having a bearer underlying each of said legs and affording abutment means for the top of said spring, said member. having means abutting the outboard side of said spring, and said member being removable in order to facilitate withdrawal of said bolster end from said bolster opening during a quick wheel change.

19. In a railway car truck of quick wheel change type, a truss side frame comprising spaced upstanding columns partly defining a bolster opening, a semi-elliptic spring supported in said opening on springs of difierentcharacter, a bolster end supported on said spring and comprising spaced legs each having means abutting the inboard side of said spring, a member secured to the outboard faces of said legs and having means abutting the outboard side of said spring, said member also comprising horizontally disposed bearers each underlying the adjacent leg and seated upon said spring, said last-mentioned means being of a depth greater than the distance between the top of said end and the top of said opening, and said member being removable in order to permit removal of said bolster opening from said opening during a quick wheel change.

20. In a bolster for a railway car truck, a bifurcated end portion having spaced legs, and a removable end portion adjustably secured to said legs, said end portion having positioning means engaging opposite sides of each leg.

ALFRED H. OELKERS. 

